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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>>at our education nation summit here in new york this past week, we heard
over and over
again about the problem many districts are dealing with right now, severe cuts to their budgets. and that is leading some to resort to unique and controversial measures to make money. it is a real
sign of the times
. that story tonight from nbc's janet shamlan.

>> reporter: the
pep rally
at
winter park high school
packed the auditorium. but along with cheerleading on the
football team
, ban ners here support a couple of
restaurant chains
, a sportswear maker and a local yogurt shop. and at
game time
, the announcements are no longer just for ravels and
bake sales
.

>>you need the spleet
sports drink
. power aid.

>> reporter: call it the new math in education funding. cash-strapped districts like this one outside orlando, have resorted to selling advertising in schools.

>>we were looking at serious cuts. it was going to affect teachers and programs and athletics. enough
hue and cry
came up that we had to do something.

>> reporter: seven states now allow ads on
school buses
. in this
high school
in minnesota is putting them right on student lockers. a blend of education and commerce some object to.

>>children are absolutely awash in commercial messages these days out of school. and that's why it's more important than ever to protect some space where children can just be kids and not be targeted as consumers.

>> reporter: so what type of money does advertising bring into education? well, here at
winter park high school
, the partnership with
panera bread
draws $3500 a year. the district even created a new position, director of sales.

>>pizza hut
here that sponsored the back of the ticket backs. not only did it pay for these but it brought in another $20,000 to the district.

>> reporter: in total, advertising has earned the district $450,000 since it started two years ago. still a drop in the bucket in a $1.4 billion budget.

>>but every little bit helps. and it helps preserve some of those things that we're in fear of being cut when budgets were being slashed.